I am nearly sixty and have a nose covered by blackheads, despite using a variety of treatments. They're even in my ears! I wash with Cetaphil, twice a day. I use Duac and eat a healthy diet. I have had a course of microdemabrasion treatments, one per month for six months. Nothing seems to help. My doctor checked my hormonal balance, and it is normal for someone post-menopausal. What can I do?

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I suggest you speak with your doctor about trying a prescription retinoid. This vitamin A-derivative has been shown to be successful at increasing the rate of skin cell exfoliation, allowing dead skin to slough off more regularly and preventing acne and blackheads. While benzoyl peroxide and clindamycin (the two main ingredients in Duac) are both effective in fighting acne, they mainly act to fight the bacteria that causes acne. In your case, it seems that the problem is exfoliation-related. In the meantime, if your skin is not sensitive, try an over-the-counter AHA mask just on your nose.

Definition Blackheads are tiny, dark spots caused by a small plug in the opening of a follicle (pore) on the skin. Blackheads are also called open comedomes . See also: Acne Whiteheads Considerations Common Causes

Article updated and reviewed by Michael S. Lehrer, MD, Clinical Assistant Professor, Department of Dermatology, University of Pennsylvania on April 18, 2005. Technically called acne vulgaris, this skin disease affects millions of Americans annually. It can vary from quite mild to extremely severe. Acne usually develops when the sebaceous glands and the lining of the hair follicle begin to work overtime, as they do in adolescence. Normally, the lining of the hair follicle sheds cells that are carried to the surface of the skin by the sebum. When the follicle is overworked and clogged, cells and sebum accumulate, forming a plug (comedo). If the plug stays below the surface of the skin, it is called a "closed" comedo or whitehead . If the plug enlarges and pops out of the duct, it is called an "open" comedo or blackhead because the top is dark. This is not dirt and will not wash away. The discoloration is due to the way light is absorbed by the skin cells within the openi...

If you have oily skin, you are prone to acne, blackheads and spots. Your skin probably looks shiny and thick. Just as with any skin type , taking certain precautions and special care can help reduce skin problems.
The following are 10 tips for taking care of oily skin.
Wash your face twice a day – once in the morning and once before bed. Washing more often can strip your skin of all the natural moisturizers and increase oil production. The only time you should wash your face more than twice a day is if you have been perspiring.
Use a gentle cleanser. If you need something stronger, look for ingredients specifically made for oily skin and acne, such as benzoyl peroxide, salicylic acid, glycolic acid, or beta-hydroxy acid. Although usually marketed for acne, these products work well for oily skin too.
If you are experimenting with different cleansers to find one that works for you, keep a notebook and write down the date, what cleanser you are using and ke...

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